"For it is like a man,
going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his
goods to them. To one he
gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to
his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the
five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
In like manner he also
who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one went
away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
"Now after a long time the
lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents
came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me
five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.'
"His lord said to him,
'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few
things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
"He also who got the two
talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I
have gained another two talents besides them.'
"His lord said to him,
'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few
things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
"He also who had received
the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man,
reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
I was afraid, and went
away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'
"But his lord answered him,
'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow,
and gather where I didn't scatter. You ought therefore to have
deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have
received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent
from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be
given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even
that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable
servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.'